This is not only a consistent affirmation of the position and role of the armed forces in protecting the Fatherland from early on and from afar, but also shows the remarkable development in strategic thinking, creative ways of doing things and effective organization and implementation of defense tasks in the new situation.

Synchronize strategy, be proactive from vision

In the context of the world and regional situation with many rapid, complicated and unpredictable developments, non-traditional security risks are increasing, especially in cyberspace, sea, islands and borders; the task of protecting the Fatherland is increasingly demanding. Thoroughly grasping the viewpoint of "protecting the country when it is not yet in danger", the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense have proactively advised the Party and State to plan and adjust national defense strategies and military strategies, building solid defense zones from the central to local levels.

Many important strategic documents have been issued or supplemented and completed such as the National Defense Strategy, the Strategy for protecting the Fatherland in cyberspace, the Resolution on developing the defense industry, the Maritime Strategy, the Border Strategy, the National Defense Strategy associated with the socio -economic development plan. Directives and guidelines on building defense zones, closely combining development and national defense have been implemented synchronously and consistently from the Central to the grassroots levels, promoting the core role of the Army and the close coordination mechanism between forces.

The combination of national defense and security; between national defense, security and foreign affairs continues to be concretized through in-depth plans and action programs. The national defense posture is deployed synchronously with the people's security posture and the "people's hearts posture", forming a solid defense system throughout the territory, especially in strategic and important areas such as borders, islands, remote and isolated areas.

Illustration photo: qdnd.vn

National defense posture of all people, from the Party's will to the people's heart

Not only stopping at the strategic vision, the highlight in the leadership and direction of the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense is to concretize the viewpoint of "unanimously united", ensuring that all people and all localities participate in and enjoy the results of the cause of building a national defense. The national defense mindset is no longer a slogan, but has become a system of practical solutions, institutionalized in the legal system, operating mechanisms, support policies and resource allocation.

One of the highlights is that the implementation of building and consolidating defense zones at commune, provincial and city levels is closely directed, with timely inspection, preliminary and final reviews. Localities, agencies and units have all developed a complete system of defense zone combat plans, defense mobilization plans, and civil defense plans, ensuring readiness to handle all situations. The integration of defense planning with socio-economic development planning is increasingly systematic and synchronous, contributing to shaping a sustainable and safe development space for the country.

In particular, exercises in defense zones, civil defense, combat exercises to protect seas, islands, and national borders have been widely deployed, creatively, and closely following reality, thereby improving the leadership, command, and management capacity of Party committees and authorities at all levels, effectively implementing the mechanism of "Party leadership, State management, military agencies and police as staff". The army has closely coordinated with the police and functional forces to effectively organize patrol and control activities, ensuring security, order, and social safety, especially in areas with sensitive factors in politics , ethnicity, and religion.

Success in handling natural disasters and epidemics, especially responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, continues to clearly affirm the role of the "working army" of the Vietnam People's Army in the hearts of the people. Many models such as "national defense cultural houses", "combined military-civilian medical stations", "charity classes", "green-uniformed doctors", "green-uniformed teachers", "adopted children of border guard stations" ... have been effectively maintained, leaving a strong impression in the hearts of people nationwide.

Combining defense-economy-foreign affairs: Breakthrough thinking in organization and implementation

One of the notable new points in the past term is that the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense have directed the close combination of national defense with socio-economic development and the expansion of international defense cooperation. With a proactive and flexible spirit, the Ministry of National Defense has promoted investment in building technical infrastructure in remote areas, both serving training and combat readiness and serving people's lives, effectively exploiting local potential.

The policy of sending people to settle on islands and border areas, developing models of "defense villages", "adjacent residential areas", "safe residential clusters ready for combat", developing raw material areas associated with defense enterprises... has contributed to ensuring social security, consolidating the "people's hearts and minds" position, and maintaining national territorial sovereignty from the grassroots level. Hundreds of projects on people's livelihood, transportation, irrigation, schools, and medical stations deployed by Army units on borders and islands have become a fulcrum for sustainable development for the people.

Regarding defense diplomacy, the Army has proactively integrated internationally at many levels. Defense diplomacy activities such as border defense friendship exchanges, defense policy dialogues, joint patrols, joint exercises, participation in United Nations peacekeeping forces, etc. have been organized systematically and effectively, contributing to building strategic trust and enhancing Vietnam's international position and prestige.

In particular, the coordination mechanism between the Army, the Police and other functional forces is increasingly being implemented closely and effectively, both ensuring independence and initiative in each force and enhancing the combined strength, helping to handle complex situations in national defense and security well, avoiding passivity and surprise.

Strengthening the national defense potential, ensuring comprehensive national defense

In building a national defense, the consolidation of defense potential in terms of politics, spirit, material, technology and force has always been placed at the center. In recent times, along with the consolidation of the organization of the armed forces towards being lean, compact and strong, agencies and units throughout the army have actively participated in developing on-site defense potential, investing in depth in the defense industry, promoting the application of modern science and technology, especially digital technology and dual-use technology in the fields of training, exercises, technical support and logistics.

At the same time, the active participation of the people through patriotic emulation movements, "gratitude" activities, and military-civilian cooperation programs have become a great resource, contributing to creating a solid position to protect the Fatherland from the root. Developing national defense culture, building revolutionary vigilance, improving the quality of mass mobilization work, and information and propaganda are also inseparable elements in building a strong national defense in the new era.

Creating new position and strength for the cause of defending the Fatherland in the new period

It is important to emphasize that promoting the role of the Army in building a national defense is inseparable from the task of building a revolutionary, disciplined, elite, and modern People's Army. This is a decisive condition for the Army to be strong enough to play the core role in implementing national defense strategies, consolidating the "people's hearts and minds" and mobilizing the entire population to participate in the cause of defending the Fatherland.

In the process of performing tasks, Party committees and commanders at all levels in the Army have focused on improving the overall quality and combat strength of the regular forces, reserve forces, and militia and self-defense forces. The work of educating people about national defense and security knowledge has been innovated in both content and methods, expanding the target audience, creating a widespread awareness throughout the political system and the whole society. Thereby, the awareness of protecting the Fatherland, patriotism, and national pride have been sustainably nurtured in all classes of people.

From the past term, it can be affirmed that: Building a strong national defense is the result of the creative, systematic, and synchronous leadership of the Party and the State, directly the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense. On that foundation, continuing to improve the quality of strategic advice, perfecting the coordination mechanism, and effectively mobilizing social resources will be the pillars to firmly ensure Vietnam's national defense in the new period, for the goal of maintaining peace, stability, and sustainable development of the country.

LE NGOC LONG

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/tien-toi-dai-hoi-xiv-cua-dang/phat-huy-vai-tro-nong-cot-cua-quan-doi-trong-xay-dung-nen-quoc-phong-toan-dan-vung-manh-846297